The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), country's top drug regulator, has allowed the Serum Institute of India (SII) to conduct phase 2 and 3 human clinical trials in India on the potential COVID19 vaccine, a senior government official said.

After a thorough evaluation, the DCGI has given approval to SII to perform phase-II, III clinical trial based on the recommendations of the Subject Expert Committee (SEC), the official source was quoted by news agency ANI as saying.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will visit Ayodhya today (i.e. August 3, Monday) to take stock of preparations for the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Ram Temple on August 5.

The Chief Minister was scheduled to visit Ayodhya yesterday but it was cancelled due to the demise of the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kamal Rani Varun who was receiving treatment for COVID-19.

A day after 11 people died in the crane collapse incident in Vishakapatnam, Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) on Sunday announced that it will provide ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh to the kin of the deceased along with employment to one member of each of the deceased's family.

The announcement was made by Sarath Babu, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), HSL.

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday tested positive for coronavirus, joining a string of very high profile political leaders who have contracted the deadly virus.

Yediyurappa informed the public about the news through his official Twitter account. He said his condition was stable and that he was being hospitalised as a precautionary measure on the recommendation of doctors.

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) on Saturday reported a 36 per cent decline in total sales at 25,678 units in July.

The company had sold 40,142 units in the same month last year, M&M said in a statement.

In the domestic market, sales were down 35 per cent to 24,211 units last month compared to 37,474 units in July 2019.

Ahead of the August 5 Ram Mandir 'Bhoomi Pujan' event at the Ram temple site that is likely to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi among other VIPs, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will visit Ayodhya on Sunday to take stock of preparations.

The chief minister had visited the sacred city last week as well to take stock of the security arrangements for the grand event.

Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol alleged that at least 400 suspected COVID-19 deaths have gone unaccounted during July in the city.

The Pune mayor raised the issue with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray when he visited the city to take stock of the COVID-19 situation.

He further alleged that at least every month at least 400 to 500 deaths of suspected coronavirus patients go unaccounted for Sassoon General Hospital and private hospitals in the city, a news agency reported.

Low-key celebrations marked

Bakrid (Eid-al-Adha) in Tamil Nadu on Saturday amid the coronavirus pandemic, confining the festivities to homes.

Also, the four months of COVID-19 lockdown, resulting in job loss or decreased income among the people has imposed economic hardship among many Muslims in celebrating the festival of sacrifice with great enthusiasm.

Amid the logjam between Bihar Police and Mumbai Police over probing the Sushant Singh Rajput death case, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister of State Sambhuraj Desai has said that the Bihar police cannot investigate it in the state without permission.

The minister also said that the Bihar Police will have to inform the Mumbai Police before carrying out any investigation.

In a tragic incident, at least ten people lost their lives and one sustained injuries after a crane collapsed in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. The incident was reported from Hindustan Shipyard Limited, DCP Suresh Babu confirmed.

A crane collapsed at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. 11 dead and 1 injured in the incident, said the DCP.

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